HC Deb 21 June 1910 vol 18 cc189-90
Mr. HAYDN JONES

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the Welsh-speaking inspector of the Board in the Machynlleth division was recently removed to another part of the country; whether his successor could speak Welsh; and what were his qualifications for the post?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Sir Edward Strachey)

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Owing to the decrease in the amount of work to be done in the Machynlleth district it has not been found necessary to keep an inspector stationed there, and at present there is no inspector at Machynlleth.

Mr. ELLIS DAVIS

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the newly appointed chief inspector of mines in North Wales is Welsh-speaking, in accordance with the provision contained in Section 39 of 50 and 51 Vic, c. 58?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Churchill)

The Inspector recently appointed to take charge of the Liverpool and North Wales District does not, I believe, speak Welsh. North Wales forms only the smaller part of his district. It has never been suggested, so far as I am aware, that the inspector in charge of this district should necessarily be Welsh-speaking. The three assistant inspectors in the district (one of whom is stationed at Bangor and the other two at Chester) all speak Welsh, and this seems to make ample provision for the needs of the Welsh portion of the district.

Mr. ELLIS DAVIES

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that the appointment of a non-Welsh-speaking inspector in North Wales is in compliance with the Section referred to?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I am advised that it is so. There must be a certain movement of the inspectors in a regular and established circuit; and, as far as possible, the inspectors whose duties are in Wales are acquainted with the Welsh language.

Mr. ELLIS DAVIES

Am I to understand that the legal officers have advised the right hon. Gentleman that the appointment of a non-Welsh-speaking inspector in North Wales complies with the specific provision in this particular Statute?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I am advised that we have kept scrupulously within the limits of the law.

Mr. ELLIS DAVIES

By the law officers?

Mr. ASHLEY

Do the three assistant inspectors speak English also?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Yes.